210
2 months ago
Lawmakers in German state elect new governor to counter far-right rise
Summary
BERLIN (AP) — Lawmakers in an eastern German state elected a new governor on Wednesday as mainstream parties try to prevent a victory for the far-right Alternative for Germany in a regional election that is only seven months away.
The state legislature in Saxony-Anhalt elected Sven Schulze, a member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union, to replace long-serving incumbent Reiner Haseloff.
Haseloff, 71, has led the state of some 2.2 million people since 2011. Schulze, 46, was designated last year as the CDU's candidate for governor to succeed him in a state election on Sept. 6.
Although it's quite common in Germany for governors to hand over the reins in midterm to allow their successors a chance to become better-known to voters, Haseloff originally appeared minded to serve out his term. But with regional support very high for Alternative for Germany, or AfD, he announced this month that he would step down early.
AfD, which became the second-biggest party in Germany's federal parliament in a national election last year, is at its strongest in the formerly communist and less prosperous east. Opposition to migration is the signature issue of AfD, with which mainstream parties refuse to work. But it also has shown a talent for capitalizing on discontent with other issues, such as the country's sluggish economy.
In recent years, some sitting governors in the east — including Haseloff himself in the state's last election in 2021 — have managed to beat back challenges from AfD as relatively popular incumbents. Schulze, who was Saxony-Anhalt's economy minister until now, would have lacked that potential advantage if Haseloff had stayed in office.
AfD so far has emerged as the biggest party in one state election, in the neighboring eastern region of Thuringia in 2024, but it has yet to take power at state level.
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The state legislature in Saxony-Anhalt elected Sven Schulze, a member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union, to replace long-serving incumbent Reiner Haseloff.
Haseloff, 71, has led the state of some 2.2 million people since 2011. Schulze, 46, was designated last year as the CDU's candidate for governor to succeed him in a state election on Sept. 6.
Although it's quite common in Germany for governors to hand over the reins in midterm to allow their successors a chance to become better-known to voters, Haseloff originally appeared minded to serve out his term. But with regional support very high for Alternative for Germany, or AfD, he announced this month that he would step down early.
AfD, which became the second-biggest party in Germany's federal parliament in a national election last year, is at its strongest in the formerly communist and less prosperous east. Opposition to migration is the signature issue of AfD, with which mainstream parties refuse to work. But it also has shown a talent for capitalizing on discontent with other issues, such as the country's sluggish economy.
In recent years, some sitting governors in the east — including Haseloff himself in the state's last election in 2021 — have managed to beat back challenges from AfD as relatively popular incumbents. Schulze, who was Saxony-Anhalt's economy minister until now, would have lacked that potential advantage if Haseloff had stayed in office.
AfD so far has emerged as the biggest party in one state election, in the neighboring eastern region of Thuringia in 2024, but it has yet to take power at state level.
These are the best Charlotte plumbers, ranked by online reviews, BBB data and licensing info. Our team then called up the top four plumbers to get a feeling for what makes their business stand out.
These are today's mortgage and refinance interest rates. The 30- and 15-year fixed rates are near recent lows. Lock in your rate today.
Djokovic called his opponent "the far better player."
Need extra hints for today’s Strands puzzle? Here are clues and spoilers for puzzle #696.
This game can be pretty tough, so we've got clues if you're stuck on today's puzzle, #962.
Does today's Wordle have you stumped? Here are some hints and the answer.
Jessica Pegula has never gone this far in the Australian Open.
Jeremiah Fears was absolutely livid and had to be walked off the court after he and Lu Dort got into it on Tuesday night.
Indiana plays Ohio State, Michigan and USC over a four-game stretch.
A mini retirement is a planned break from work to rest, travel, or reset. Here’s how to take one without derailing your finances or career.
AI Description
The article discusses the election of a new governor in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, as a strategic move by mainstream parties to counter the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany. This political maneuver is significant in the context of upcoming regional elections.